Derrick Rose has announced his retirement from the NBA after 16 seasons.
The point guard made the shocking announcement on social media. “Thank you, My First Love,” he wrote. “You believed in me through the highs and lows, my constant when everything else seemed uncertain. You showed me what love truly meant.”
He continued, “You turned the court into my sanctuary, a home where I could express myself freely. You made every early morning and late night we spent together worth every drop of sweat. You reminded me that I could always rely on you, that in every moment of doubt, you would show me what I’m capable of.”
In 2008, he was the overall No.1 draft pick out of Memphis. In 2011, he won Rookie of the Year and became the youngest MVP in the league at 22 years old. Rose played for the Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Detroit Pistons Cleveland Cavaliers, and Memphis Grizzlies. However, throughout his career, Derrick Rose has suffered from a few injuries, mostly notably the tearing of his ACL during the 2012 playoffs.
Since making his announcement, Rose received love and support from fellow NBA players such as Isaiah Thomas and Kevin Durant.